CAPACITIVE TOUCH SWITCH WITH FALSE TRIGGER PROTECTION
First Claim
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1. An electronics module proximate an exterior surface of a vehicle, the module comprising:
- a housing configured for mounting to an interior surface of the vehicle; and
an electronic circuit enclosed in the housing, the electronic circuit comprising;
a proximity sensor configured to detect an object proximate the housing;
a sensor guard disposed between the interior surface and the proximity sensor, wherein the sensor guard is configured to limit a detection by the proximity sensor of an input originating from the exterior surface of a vehicle.
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Abstract
An electronics module proximate an exterior surface of a vehicle is disclosed. The module comprises a housing configured for mounting to an interior surface of the vehicle. An electronic circuit is enclosed in the housing. The electronic circuit comprises a proximity sensor and a sensor guard. The proximity sensor is configured to detect an object proximate the housing. The sensor guard is disposed between the interior surface and the proximity sensor and configured to limit a detection by the proximity sensor of an input originating from the exterior surface of a vehicle.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An electronics module proximate an exterior surface of a vehicle, the module comprising:
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a housing configured for mounting to an interior surface of the vehicle; and an electronic circuit enclosed in the housing, the electronic circuit comprising; a proximity sensor configured to detect an object proximate the housing; a sensor guard disposed between the interior surface and the proximity sensor, wherein the sensor guard is configured to limit a detection by the proximity sensor of an input originating from the exterior surface of a vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An electronic circuit for mounting to an inside surface of a windshield of a vehicle and configured to control a vehicle accessory, the circuit comprising:
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a capacitive sensor configured to detect an object in proximity thereto; a sensor guard disposed between the windshield and the capacitive sensor; and a processor in communication with the capacitive sensor, wherein the sensor guard is configured to limit a false detection by the processor due to an input originating from an outside surface of the windshield. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A trainable transmitter module for a vehicle, comprising:
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a housing configured for mounting to an inside surface of a windshield of the vehicle; and an electronic circuit enclosed in the housing, the electronic circuit comprising; a user interface including a capacitive touch switch having a touch electrode for sensing proximity of a user'"'"'s finger or hand, and a guard electrode positioned between the windshield and at least a portion of the touch electrode, the guard electrode is configured to reduce a possibility that the touch electrode is falsely triggered by an input originating from an outside surface of the windshield; a backlight for illuminating indicia on the user interface; a processor coupled to the touch electrode, the guard electrode, and the backlight, the processor is configured to detect a voltage change on the touch electrode caused by proximity of the user'"'"'s finger or hand and to activate the backlight in response to the voltage change on the touch electrode; trainable transmitter circuitry coupled to the processor; and wherein the processor is configured to control the trainable transmitter circuitry in response to user activation through the user interface. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification